14 Mile 42-inch Water Main Project

The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA), in collaboration with its member partner communities of Commerce Township, Walled Lake, Wixom and Novi, has developed an action plan to continue building resiliency in the regional system after a 42-inch water transmission main broke on 14 Mile Road, west of M5, at the end of September. This plan was developed based on extensive data garnered from the recent inspection of nearly four miles of this transmission main.

The action plan, which involves both water main replacement and renewal, will occur in three phases over the next seven months, spanning mid-January 2026 through late April, with road restoration expected to be completed by the end of June.  

GLWA estimates that it will be investing $12.8 million in this critical infrastructure resiliency work. Within the last year, GLWA also completed a more than $110 million redundancy loop project in the water transmission system which allowed restoration of water service much more quickly than in previous breaks. 

Project Updates 4/10/26

Our team has made great progress in the field on the 14 Mile 42-inch project. Updates include:

• All pipe segments and structures have been installed in the ground. Today was the 57^th and final day of open-cut pipe installation.
• Welding crew is working inside the pipe to complete the remaining interior joint welds, with a crew following to complete the interior joint with cement mortar.
• Final pipe inspection walk-throughs are ongoing. Approximately 70% of the length completed on 4/9. Remaining inspection length scheduled for 4/13.
• Crews are preparing to begin the testing, flushing, and chlorination processes, scheduled to begin on Tuesday or Wednesday next week.
• After today, daytime closures of WB 14 will be halted until further notice. The next anticipated change to traffic control will be during the roadway restoration phase.
• Current traffic closures:
  • EB 14 Mile Rd between Walled Lake and M-5 remains closed